Korean Job Discussion Forums

Snowmeow · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Location: pc room

I am trying to estimate how long it will take me on average to get where I want to go using the subway. I don't live in Seoul yet so it's theoretical. I count 21 subway stops including one line change. based on my subway experience in Busan I'd say each stop takes 1.5 mins, plus 5 mins for the line change. So ~37 mins for the subway plus walking - not too bad.

Does 1.5 min per stop (on average) seem accurate? Or is more like 2 mins per stop? (47 mins for the trip)

Atavistic · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:03 am Post subject:

http://www.smrt.co.kr/english_smrt/cyberstation_smrt/cyberstation.jsp

The estimates are pretty good, but if you transfer a lot (especially outside of Seoul), tack on about 5-10 mins per transfer for good measure.

Snowmeow · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Location: pc room

Thanks very much for this link! It will take an estimated 48 minutes.

Return Jones · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:58 pm Post subject:

As mentioned, that website doesn't seem to factor in transfers. Transfers will kill you. It's better to take a slightly longer route than to take a shorter one and transfer. I estimate at least 10 mins per transfer. The different lines are often owned by different transit companies and are not in synch whatsoever. Lots and lots of standing and waiting on the platform. Fun times.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

If you look on the wall, opposite the platform, you'll see something that says "running time of the train" or some other poorly phrased english. The english seems to say when the trains start and stop running but the numbers make no sense. What the numbers really represent are the amount of time from your station to the station in questions. So for example if you're at Nowon find the sign. Look at Myeong Dong. You'll see a number like 26 next to it. That means it's about 26 minutes to that station.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

There are some subway lines, such as the yellow line, where you can see signs that state exactly how long it takes between stations. A couple are as low as a minute, and some are as long as five minutes.

gmat · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

The cyber station website does factor in transfer times (walking) but sometimes you are unlucky and just miss a train so it's best to add on a few minutes.

Example Myeongdong to Seoul Station = 4 minutes
Seoul Station to City Hall = 2 minutes

But Myeongdong to City Hall = 11 minutes

The transfer time is factored in at five minutes in this case (Myeongdong to City Hall).

edit - http://www.smrt.co.kr/english_smrt/cyberstation_smrt/cyberstation.jsp

Samantha · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong

also figure 5mins for each of these Smile

1) you get to the stairs and walk into the salmon spawning uptream issue. You are going downstairs and everyone is going up.

2) construction on the platform

3) you get to the subway and are in a sea of grandmothers walking slowly but spread out like defensive linemen

4) you are carrying a lot of stuff from shopping all day

5) you are at the station either early in the morning or after 9/10 pm

hmmm....what other issues have caused delays for hitting the trains wrong and having to wait around. Or do I just have crap for luck with subways?

Atavistic · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:33 pm Post subject:

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

The time between stations would be a lot less if Koreans figured standing by the doors, blocking one exit path, doubles the loading/unloading time of the car.